Visiting Angels

Updated 9 December 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

The service did not have a manager currently registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that the provider is solely and legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 02 November 2021 and we visited the office location on 18 November 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registering. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We received written feedback by a second relative. We spoke with two members of staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to review records relating to the management of the service and people's care records. We provided feedback to the provider on 25 November 2021.

Updated 9 December 2021

About the service

Dynamo One Ltd (T/A Visiting Angels) is a domiciliary care agency registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, six people were using the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

Dynamo One Ltd (T/A Visiting Angels) changed it’s registered office address on 01 December 2021. It was previously registered at Unit 15, Great North Business Centre, 82 Great North Road, Hatfield, AL9 5BL. The address changed to 62 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1JU.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People felt safe with the care provided to them. Risks to people's health and safety were assessed and staff knew how to support people to keep them safe. Staff had received training to recognise and report signs of abuse. Incidents that occurred placing people at risk of harm were recorded and prompted a review of people's care needs.

People were supported by a small and consistent staff team who they felt comfortable with. People received their medicines as required and were cared for by staff who ensured they followed infection prevention guidance and good practice.

People's needs were assessed before the service provided them with care or support. People’s care plans were robust and provided enough guidance to staff.

People said staff had the skills necessary to care for them well. Staff had received the required training and ongoing support to help them acquire the skills and knowledge to fulfil their role and responsibilities.

People were supported by a small and consistent staff team who they felt comfortable with.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People said staff were caring and knew their needs and preferences well. People were treated with dignity and respect and their independence was promoted and encouraged by staff.

People said they were involved when reviewing their care and felt staff were responsive to their changing needs.

Systems and processes were in place to monitor the quality of the service, and to seek the views of the people who used it. People, their relatives and staff thought the service was well managed and responsive to their needs.

The provider was open and transparent and promoted a person-centred culture within the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 14 August 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.